GUYANA GREEN CUSTOMS INITIATIVE BY DAVID HERMONSTINE

GUYANA IS COMMITTED TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF TRADE RELATED MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS (MEAs) IN PARTICULAR Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal

Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety Conventionon International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

Role of Customs Officers Ensure Compliance with the MEAs Verify completeness of documentation Ensure all licensing authorities issue the relevant licences (import/export) for shipments Comply with Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) for examination of cargo Work along with all the regulatory authorities to enforce regulations.

Role of Customs Officers Verify consistency of documentation Verify Classification codes of commodities Verify the nature and quantity of the shipment Ensure that all Safety Standards are maintained Physical Examination of goods must be conducted according to ISO Standards Goods can only be released when all the requirements are fulfilled The role of a Customs Officer is not only to collect revenue but also and most important, is to preserve the environment by preventing illegal substances from entering the society Contact r Competent Authority in case of suspicion

Agencies Interaction and Cooperation The Ministry of Trade and Tourism The Ministry of Foreign Trade The Ministry of Agriculture Environmental Protection Agency Guyana Wild Life Management Authority Guyana Wildlife Scientific Authority National Biodiversity Committee Pesticide & Toxic Chemicals Control Board

Customs Officers Training The (GCI) is to be included in the training Curriculum of the Customs and Trade Authority Regular Training Seminars are held with the regulatory Authorities Practical demonstration and On the Job Training (OJT) are held to emphasize importance Sharing of information with the regulatory authorities.

Training with key Stakeholders (National committee on Conformity assessment) Guyana National Bureau of Standards Institute of Applied Science and Technology Environmental Protection Agency Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board Guyana Forestry Commission Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association Government Analysis/Food and Drug Department

The Customs Officer Objective Detect and prevent Illegal Trade in Environmentally-Sensitive commodity Coordinate with other National Regulatory Authorities to combat illegal Trade Better Recognition of the role of Customs in Environmental Protection Increase awareness and utilize assistance provided by national and international agencies

THANK YOU.